Log splitting device



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ATTORNEYS.

May 2%, 193%. HULT ZU I-ZAQII LOG SPLITTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

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Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in log splitting devices and has particular reference to a device for the splitting of large logs so that they may be further split for whatever purpose desired.

The principal object of the invention is to produce a device wherein a charge of dynamite or powder may be directed into the interior of the log to cause a splitting action.

A further object is to produce a tool which may be used many times without loss of the tool.

A still further object is to produce a device of this character which is simple to manipulate, and one which is safe for the user.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a log indicating the manner in which my tool is started into the heart of the log,

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of Fig. 1, showing the a device positioned in the heart of the tree,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the device completely driven and the firing arrangement in position, the driving plug having been removed,

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of my device showing the log as the same will be split,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of my device a portion thereof being in cross section,

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which the device is charged with powder, a portion thereof being shown in cross section,

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the ram rod and a firing pin,

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a modified form of wedge.

In the logging industry the logs are sawed into lengths and usually are five or six feet in diameter, therefore, it is almost impossible to split these lengths, requiring several days for a single split as wedges must be employed to accomplish the splitting action. Applicant has devised a wedge which depends upon the charge of the explosive material to effect the splitting of the log.

In the accompanying drawings, referring to Fig. 1, the numeral 5 designates a log, the numeral 6 the shank of my tool which has a chisel shaped end I and an enlarged head 8. The head and shank have a bore 9 therethrough, which bore is connected with the outer surface of the tool by ports II and I2. A driver lock is shown at l3 which has a pin I4 extending into the bore 9. A reduced portion I6 is formed upon the driver head, the purpose of which will be later seen. The ram rod shown in Fig. 7 has a cylindrical portion ll, which is of substantially the same diameter as the bore 9. A cap holding plug I8 is threaded to theram rod and a firing pin I9 is slidably mounted in the bore 2| of the ram rod. A spring 22 tends to force the firing pin 19 toward the cap holder l8. A cross pin 23 attached to a cord 24 forms a means when inserted in a cross bore in the firing pin for retaining the firing pin out of engagement with the percussion cap. The ram rod is provided with a series of openings 26 which are adapted to receive pins 21 carried upon a U- shaped spring 28.

The manner of using my device is as follows:- The shank is first driven into the log by inserting the driver I3 in position and striking the same with any percussion instrument such as a sledge. As soon as the shank is driven to the position of Fig. 3 the driver head I3 is removed, powder is then packed in the bore 9 and the ram rod I1 is employed for packing this explosive mixture. As soon as the necessary amount has been packed in the bore the end l8 of the ram rod is unthreaded, a cap placed therein, the firing pin inserted in the ram rod and the spring 22 engaged with the pin 29 and a cross pin 23 inserted so that the firing pin cannot reach the percussion cap. The ram rod is then re-inserted in the bore 9 so that the bore 3| of the cap l8 will direct the firing of the percussion cap against the explosive mixture. In order to prevent the ram rod from leaving the bore 9 when the explosion occurs I employ a U-shaped spring 28 having the pins 21 which extend into the openings 26 of the ram rod, thus locking the same in any adjusted position within the bore. The operator now moves away and pulls upon the cord 24 removing the pin 23 and permitting the spring 22 to force the firing pin [9 against the percussion cap thus igniting the explosive charge. The effect of this charge will be that it will extend outwardly as indicated by the arrows of Fig. 6 through ports H and I2 and will split the log from end to end. If it is found necessary to pack the powder by using force the small end I 6 of the driver may be inserted in the end of the ram rod previous to inserting the firing pin therein.

It will thus be seen that I have produced a device which will accomplish all the objects above set forth and one which may be readily transported and used time and again.

It is'to be understod that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the inven- I tion or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:- In a device of the character described, a tubular member having a wedge-shaped end at one end thereof and a head formed at the opposite end thereof, ports formed in said tubular member, means for driving said tubular member into a log, means for packing said tubular member and said ports with an explosive compound comprising a ram rod slidable in the'bore of said tubularmember, means for retaining said ram rod in adjusted position in said bore and in contact with the explosive charge, and means carried by said ram rod for exploding said charge.

LAWRENCE HULT. 

